Explaining statistics and non-significant relative risk to the Vioxx jury
“So how do you explain these issues to a Texas jury? Well, the defendants argued these 5 to 1 odds aren’t statistically significant, to which the plaintiff’s lawyer Mark Lanier offered this folksy rejoinder (hat tip: Newmark’s Door):
Have you got $6 on you? I’m going to give you a dollar and you give me the six. It is not statistically significant in the difference. What do you think, are you in or out?
Sure, Mr. Lanier, I’m in, though here’s how the deal actually works– you give me the dollar, but you don’t know whether I give you $6 or I give you nothing. Or, to be a little more accurate, even if there actually is an elevated risk of the magnitude the studies suggest but can’t prove, the question is whether I might want to accept a 1 in 4,000 risk of dying from a heart attack in order to get the only medication that makes my pain bearable and a mobile life livable. And if I say no to the Vioxx, I may end up taking something that is less effective for my pain but has risks of its own.” (via PointofLaw.com)
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- Obesity and heart attacks
- JCAHO: Harming patient safety?
- The numbers behind the torcetrapib decision
- Getting around pre-authorizations
- Ways you can die from having sex
- CT scans
{ 2 comments }
Christopher Seeger, the attorney who’s going after Merck next, is on TV now. He’s antagonistic, he’s got a beard, he doesn’t wear a tie. Not sexy like Lanier. Not that it matters his client was only on Vioxx 2 months, juries won’t even remember that. Anyone want to wager he loses the case?
Kevin,
My name is Susanne and I have a husband who is 47 with RA for 10 years and has taken Celebrex since it came out on the market. Last year he had severe chest pains and the Dr. sent him to a shrink for an anxiety attack. He quit taking Celebrex (even though Doc said keep taking it) and now this year he has had a spleen infarction. Is there any relation? How do you know if you are suffering from Celebrex damage. I feel we are just getting a run around from his Doctor and it’s driving me crazy. He is off work and just doesn’t feel good; they have recommended not removing his spleen (?) and still don’t know what caused the spleen infarction. HELP!
Thank you,
Susanne
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